Ukraine Struggles With Critical Troop Shortages Amid Ongoing Conflict

Ukraine faces a critical shortage of combat-ready troops, a problem that has persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, despite advancements in drone technology and tactics. Commanders and analysts report that some units are operating at half strength, hindering Ukraine's ability to fully leverage its battlefield advantages and conduct offensive operations.

"There just aren't enough people," a Ukrainian Defense Ministry official stated, summarizing the core issue. The shortage means that units cannot be rotated frequently, leading to troop exhaustion and increased casualties. A deputy commander of the Da Vinci Wolves battalion in eastern Ukraine's Pokrovsk area, identified only as "Afer," noted that his unit is operating at about half strength while defending twice the territory it previously did.

Mobilization Challenges

Long-standing issues with mobilization, including draft dodging and desertion, impede Ukraine's ability to replenish its forces. Military experts suggest that these factors contribute to only incremental changes along the 1,250-kilometer (775-mile) front line. Nick Reynolds of the Royal United Services Institute, a defense think tank, explained that without sufficient forces to commit quickly, Ukraine's ability to turn temporary advantages into sustained operations is limited.

The Defense Ministry, which underwent a shake-up in July, is attempting to address the problem through reforms in mobilization, training, and army organization. One sensitive issue under consideration is developing a new mobilization policy, which includes measures to encourage deserters to return to duty. Former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov had initiated reforms aimed at reorganizing the military into fewer, stronger units and making infantry service more attractive with higher salaries and fixed terms.

Recruitment and Demographics

Convincing Ukrainians to fight after more than four years of war presents a significant challenge. Ukraine's pool of men aged 25-60 is relatively small due to demographic decline from war-related displacement and migration. U.N. figures indicate approximately 6.8 million men in this age group, but this includes wounded veterans and those otherwise unable to serve. Official figures place the military's strength at about 1 million, with only a fraction deployed at the front.

While women are allowed to volunteer and those with medical or pharmaceutical training must register, over 70,000 women were serving in the army as of January 2025, according to Defense Ministry statistics. In March, it was reported that about 2 million Ukrainian men were evading service, and approximately 200,000 soldiers had deserted or left their units without authorization, facing potential imprisonment of up to 12 years.

Broader Context

Russia, with a much larger population of an estimated 143 million, also faces challenges in filling its military ranks. After an unpopular partial mobilization of 300,000 reservists in 2022, it has relied on volunteers. President Vladimir Putin has stated that about 700,000 Russian men are fighting in Ukraine.

Military analyst Taras Chmut suggests that Ukraine's issue is not solely a personnel shortage but also concerns how forces are managed and deployed, arguing that increasing numbers do not automatically equate to increased effectiveness. Factors such as exhaustion, poor organization, inadequate training, and the lack of a clear end-of-service date are driving desertion. These issues are directly felt at the front, diminishing Ukraine's capacity for replacements, emergency responses, and strategic diversions.

While Ukraine has conducted localized offensives and retaken some territory, analysts believe significant shifts in the broader battlefield balance are unlikely in the near future. Some soldiers and analysts point to the need for twice the current number of men simply to hold existing positions, not including reserves for casualties. The shortage of qualified specialists capable of operating increasingly sophisticated equipment also remains a concern.

Ukrainian forces have retaken about 820 square kilometers (316 square miles) of territory since the beginning of 2026, while Russian forces occupy roughly 990 square kilometers (about 380 square miles). Kyiv aims to move these figures closer to parity by the end of the year, though fundamental changes to the overall front line are not anticipated.